The action took place a few weeks ahead of UN Climate Change Conference 21 (COP21). The aim was not only to condemn BNP Paribas’s role in the tax evasion system, but also to raise the alarm over the lack of funding for the climate crisis and the much needed ecological and social transition, while $20,000 to 32,000 billion continue to be sheltered in tax havens.

Following the prosecution of “Faucheurs de Chaises” activist Jon Palais in January 2017, BNP Paribas, one of the world’s leading banks and a COP21 sponsor, is now taking Florent Compain to court. His trial will take place on April 11, 2017 in Bar-le-Duc, France.

Once again, a citizen and activist is being prosecuted, when BNP Paribas should be the one in the dock.

We accuse BNP Paribas of organizing tax evasion, for example through the creation of offshore companies as revealed in the Panama Papers. BNP Paribas is the French bank that generates the highest profit in tax havens, making €2.4 billion in 2014.

We accuse BNP Paribas of exacerbating the climate crisis with its continued financing of fossil fuels, nuclear and other false solutions incompatible with the social and ecological transition needed to prevent catastrophic climate change. While BNP Paribas has halted its direct support of new coal projects, it continues to finance companies involved in developing, extracting and consuming coal. Furthermore BNP Paribas is looking for other fossil fuel projects to finance, such as the LNG export terminal in Texas, US (for fracked gas), despite a French ban on shale gas.

We accuse BNP Paribas of disregarding people’s right to a healthy environment and control over their living conditions, through its funding of companies known for misconduct against those who protest against their activities (Glencore, BHP Billiton, Anglo American amongst others) and projects such as the Dakota Access Pipeline in the US, currently being fought by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.

Because the next 5 to 10 years will be crucial in stabilizing the climate, the money currently hidden in tax havens and used to finance the world’s most polluting companies should be immediately redirected to fund an ecological and social transition to help us tackle the climate challenge.

Powerful multinational companies responsible for the tax evasion system, the destruction of the environment and living conditions of people around the globe should be prosecuted, not “Faucheurs de Chaises” activists, whistleblowers and environmental activists. BNP Paribas is the one that belongs in the dock.

Over 150 organizations from 56 different countries join forces to denounce the actions of BNP Paribas. In support of Friends of the Earth France/Les Amis de la Terre president Florent Compain, who will be tried on April 11th for requisitioning chairs in a BNP agency, these organizations testify in their language of their indignation: